Anti-Smart Meter Group Blasts New Transmitter for Health Concerns

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Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Nicholas Handy, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

Anti-smart meter group HaltMAsmartmeters (HMSM) blasted the National Grid and their smart meter system once again, this time for the potential health hazards linked to their antenna poised to be erected at the First Congregational Church in Worcester.

Concerns have risen within HMSM because the antenna and church are straight across from the Tatnuck Magnet Elementary School. Rather than viewing the antenna’s implementation in an area that is agreed upon as a success, HMSM worries that the radiation could have bad affects on the nearby students and residents of the community.

“The news that National Grid secured a stealth co-location for a microwave transmitter in a church steeple across from an elementary school is not a source of celebration,” said Patricia Burke, a member HMSM. “Co-location of antennas would be a reasonable proposition if juxtaposed chronic radiofrequency microwave exposure was inconsequential, but Americans have been lied to by the industry, regulators, legislators, and economic partners, including universities and colleges who continue to ignore the science that forms the basis of policy decisions in countries recognizing non-thermal impacts.”

Because the church already has a cell phone antenna, National Grid reportedly is not required to get permission from the Zoning Board to place their antenna because it will be co-located with a previous placed antenna. Because of this, National Grid is requesting a leave to withdraw its two previous petitions for towers located at 30 Tory Fort Lane and 597 Mill St.

Health Concerns

While concerned with a variety of subjects regarding the smart grid system, HMSM’s chief concern is the potential health probelms that can be caused by systems like these. HMSM points to cancer as one potential health problem that has been assocaited with RF radiation. 

The group references a wide variety of reports that have been conducted throughout the world that point to RF radiation as a carcinogen. While other countries have data supporting these claims, the United States currently does not. Rather than installing these technologies and waiting to see the effects, Burke wants to see a more proactive approach.

“In the same way that the asbestos and tobacco industry blamed each other for lung cancer, as the gestation period is reached for many cancers and illnesses associated with long term chronic exposure to low level microwave radiation, the use of radiofrequencies by utility companies will prevent the legal system from being able to prosecute the cellular telecommunications industry for health damages,” said Burke.

National Grid Statement

While anti-smart meter groups point to information that would prove contrary, National Grid reiterates that the smart grid system that is being implemented in Worcester is both a safe and convenient option for customers and residents of the area.

Because the church already houses a cell antenna, the addition of National Grid’s WiMAX base station equipment is a convenient alternative to putting up a tower somewhere else in the neighborhood. The partnership between the church and the National Grid also ensures little conflict based on the location.

In regards to the health concerns raised by MHSM, National Grid assures customers and citizens located near the tower that they have nothing to worry about.

“We believe, and studies show that all of the Smart Energy Solutions program equipment is safe,” said Jake Navarro, a spokesperson for National Grid. “The power levels utilized on this system are several orders of magnitude below public exposure limits established by the Federal Communications Commission. Moreover, the power levels of the National Grid equipment are of a significantly lower RF energy level than those from cellular base station sites.”

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